The Member of Parliament for Hertsmere, The Rt Hon Sir Oliver Dowden KCB CBE MP, recently visited Potters Bar Community Hospital alongside local councillor John Graham and members of the Patient Participation Group.
The visit focused on learning more about the community health services which are currently delivered by different providers at the hospital and to find out what can be done to increase the range of services provided at the site, following the earlier withdrawal of services by the Royal Free NHS Foundation Trust.
Sir Oliver met staff from Central London Community Healthcare NHS Trust, who deliver clinics for frailty, podiatry, leg ulcer and heart failure at Potters Bar Community Hospital. They provide bed-based inpatient rehabilitation at the hospital and use it as a team base for clinicians delivering home based services, including community nursing, physiotherapy, occupational therapy.
Sir Oliver and John discussed the potential to reintroduce essential diagnostic services, such as blood tests, x-rays, ultrasounds, and other outpatient services. As the NHS moved to a more neighbourhood-based model of care, this will ensure residents have access to a greater range of community services closer to home.
Sir Oliver has committed to making the case for these services to be returned and will convene a meeting between the Integrated Care Board (ICB) and local providers.
Sir Oliver said: “Potters Bar offers a range of quality of NHS services to local people, but there is scope to offer more. I had constructive discussions today about how we can restore key diagnostics and community services to Potters Bar Community Hospital.”
Sir Oliver added: “I’ll be taking this forward by bringing together the Royal Free and the ICB to push for a solution that delivers for residents.”
Louise Ayres, Deputy Director of Operations for the Hertfordshire division of Central London Community Healthcare NHS Trust, said: “There are a wide range of services provided by CLCH at Potters Bar Community Hospital, alongside a number of other healthcare providers who use the site regularly to deliver care to the patients and communities we serve. We remain committed to working with partners and stakeholders – including primary care, local authorities, and patient groups – to continually develop services which reflect what local people truly need.”
“As the NHS moves toward a neighbourhood-based model of care, sites like Potters Bar Community Hospital can become a vital resource for delivering integrated, person-centred services that support people to live healthier lives closer to home.
It was a pleasure to welcome Oliver Dowden MP, Dr Anup Shah, Councillor John Graham and representatives from local patient groups to see first-hand how we care for our community, and to explore how we can continually evolve to provide the highest quality care with local needs in mind.”
